Far Eastern University may have lost big man Prince Orizu in the last five minutes to five fouls, but the gutsy plays of Jasper Parker, Ken Tuffin and Arvin Tolentino in the remaining time propelled the Tamaraws to a pulsating 71-70 triumph over the La Salle Green Archers yesterday in the playoff for the fourth Final Four slot at the Araneta Coliseum.
Tolentino’s triple in the last 3.1 seconds finally decided it all for FEU as it earned its sixth straight Final Four appearance – the longest active streak in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
“Baka sabihin nila, we won because of my shot. My shot is as big as any basket na ginawa namin this game,” said Tolentino.
Orizu, who fouled out with 4:30 left, was on his knees praying when Tolentino got a pass from a tightly guarded Parker and unleashed the game-winning triple from the top of the arc.
The win put the Tamaraws into a semifinal clash with defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, the no. 1 seeded squad.
Tolentino finished with 15 points and five rebounds. After Joaquin Manuel missed a triple for La Salle in the last 18 seconds, FEU’s Wendell Comboy secured the rebound, with the Archers up, 70-68.
“I love how these guys battled through adversity the whole year. They never gave up. Kahit doon sa 4-game losing streak namin, sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng kumpiyansa,” said Tams’ coach Olsen Racela.
The Green Archers, who won’t be in the Final Four for the first time in three seasons, were led by Leonardo Santillan with 20 points,
They were behind by three at the end of the third period and forced a 60-all deadlock after Santillan scored two freebies off Orizu, who fouled out in the process.
They made things more challenging for FEU when Aljun Melecio and Santillan handed La Salle a 68-64 edge with 1:28 left.
As Santillan turned the ball over in the last 50 seconds, Tuffin put FEU closer, 70-68, with his jumper in the final 38 seconds.
La Salle took charge at halftime behind Jollo Go’s trey, 38-36.
Prior to this, the Tams got hot and outgunned the Green Archers from the three-point arc in the first period, scoring seven of 15 attempts to lead slightly, 21-20.
FEU went on to outrebound La Salle, 54-41, with their offensive rebounds of 27 beyond their season average of 13.6.
The Scores:
FEU 71—Tolentino 15, Ebona 12, Tuffin 11, Escoto 10, Comboy 8, Parker 7, Inigo 5, Cani 2, Orizu 1, Stockton 0, Gonzales 0, Bienes 0.
LA SALLE 70—Santillan 20, Melecio 9, Caracut 9, Montalbo 7, Baltazar 6, Manuel 5, Samuel 4, Dyke 3, Go 3, Bates 2, Serrano 2.
QUARTER SCORES: 22-21, 36-38, 54-51, 71-70